President Barack Obama plans to step into the political debate over rising gasoline prices on Thursday, when he kicks off the first of a series of events focused on his energy plans, senior administration officials said.

During an event at the University of Miami, Mr. Obama will discuss the steps the country can take to tackle what the White House sees as an annual cycle of spikes in gas prices, the officials said. At the same time, these officials, who briefed reporters Tuesday on the presidents plans, acknowledged that there is almost nothing the president can do in the near term to lower gas prices.

But rising gas prices are a threat to the president as he runs for re-election this year. Its one of the issues of chief concern to Mr. Obamas political advisers and has become the subject of criticism of Mr. Obama on the campaign trail.

Mr. Obamas speech Thursday will call for a diverse energy plan and lay out his efforts to boost domestic production of oil and gas. His defense comes as Republican presidential candidates blame him for the rise in gasoline prices and cast him as unfriendly to domestic oil production, particularly his administrations decision to postpone the construction of the Keystone pipeline. The administration officials pushed back against the GOP criticism, arguing that Americans dont trust Republicans on energy issues because their plans focus narrowly on production, which has been rising.

During an event at the University of Miami, Mr. Obama will discuss the steps the country can take to tackle what the White House sees as an annual cycle of spikes in gas prices, the officials said. At the same time, these officials, who briefed reporters Tuesday on the presidents plans, acknowledged that there is almost nothing the president can do in the near term to lower gas prices. See it is the country's fault hmm hmm. And nothing he can do about it. see. hmm hmm.

He’s going to say how much he’s opened up for exploration offshore......

On Jan. 26, during a speech in Las Vegas, President Obama said, Weve opened millions of new acres for oil and gas exploration. Right now, American oil production is the highest that its been in eight years. Eight years. Last year, we relied less on foreign oil than in any of last 16 years. Were moving in the right direction when it comes to oil and gas production.
And today, Im announcing that my administration will soon open up around 38 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico for additional exploration and development, which could result in a lot more production of domestic energy, he added.
But, are these really new acres for oil and gas exploration and production? The acres are not new according to the National Oil Industries Association (NOIA).
Were pleased to hear that the long delayed Central Gulf of Mexico sale will finally occur in June. Sales are an essential step in providing much needed American jobs and energy, not only in the Gulf of Mexico, but across the country, said Randall Luthi, NOIA president.
However, this sale has been on the books since 2007 under the current five-year plan. Its nothing new, nor is the claim that 75% of the resources on the OCS are open to development. It is just smoke and mirrors to hide the fact that were still exploring in the same areas we have been for the past 30 years, he emphasized.
On the Dept. of the Interiors website, it was noted that the agency manages 1.7 billion underwater acres of Outer Continental Shelf. Lets see, 75% of that is 1.27 billion acres. And, Pres. Obama was bragging about 38 million acres (2.2%) in the Gulf of Mexico. And, most of that acreage has been offered multiple times.

...particularly his administrations decision to postpone the construction of the Keystone pipeline.

This author needs a little trip over to the Ministry of Truth. Today Jay "Sideshow" Carney said Obama didnt cancel the Keystone pipeline Republicans did. She should have tossed all old manuscripts in the Memory Hole when she came in to work this morning.

19
posted on 02/21/2012 6:13:06 PM PST
by TigersEye
(Life is about choices. Your choices. Make good ones.)

Mr. Obama will discuss the steps the country can take to tackle what the White House sees as an annual cycle of spikes in gas prices, the officials said. At the same time, these officials, who briefed reporters Tuesday on the presidents plans, acknowledged that there is almost nothing the president can do...

It never stops galling me, how in the spring, and in the fall, energy prices rise, and our "experts" in government ALWAYS cite "an unforeseen spike in demand."

IDIOTS.

It gets old in winter, so people need heating oil...duh!

People want to drive in the spring for vacation...duh!

For YEARS we've heard the same, lame excuses...

20
posted on 02/21/2012 6:14:57 PM PST
by NorCoGOP
(Obama's approval ratings: so low that Kenyans now accuse him of being born in the USA)

During an event at the University of Miami, Mr. Obama will discuss the steps the country can take to tackle what the White House sees as an annual cycle of spikes in gas prices, the officials said.

What a wimpy statement. Discussing the steps we can take? How a bout a plan laid out that actually has milestones in it rather than sticking your finger in the wind? Discuss what steps we can take...Yeah right. Just more "community organizing" bullshit from this administration.

Mr. Obama will discuss the steps the country can take to tackle what the White House sees as an annual cycle of spikes in gas prices, the officials said. At the same time, these officials, who briefed reporters Tuesday on the presidents plans, acknowledged that there is almost nothing the president can do...

It never stops galling me, how in the spring, and in the fall, energy prices rise, and our "experts" in government ALWAYS cite "an unforeseen spike in demand."

IDIOTS.

It gets old in winter, so people need heating oil...duh!

People want to drive in the spring for vacation...duh!

For YEARS we've heard the same, lame excuses...

22
posted on 02/21/2012 6:15:26 PM PST
by NorCoGOP
(Obama's approval ratings: so low that Kenyans now accuse him of being born in the USA)

Three years ago they told us they couldn’t do anything because it would take 5 to 10 years to bring new wells on line. They obstruct and then tell us there’s nothing they can do as if we don’t remember they they are the reason for the problem.

That jack-ass ain’t got nothing. He’ll probably just drain the SOR then wonder why prices are still spiking. It’s the economy numbnuts. We are using less now than in 2003. Remove your marxist bullshit regulations and programs. Watch the magic happen before your skinny marxist ass.

He'll be blaming Bush or Republicans or folks who own guns or cling to their religion - anyone except himself, his administration, and his fellow democrats. Lucky for him the press will buy anything that falls out of his mouth... or Hillary's - no matter how stupid.

37
posted on 02/21/2012 6:33:55 PM PST
by GOPJ
(GAS WAS $1.85 per gallon on the day Obama was Inaugurated! - - freeper Gaffer)

No need for anyone here to suffer through the Kenyan Usurper's gas speech. I tell you what's in it.

Obama will say that he's creating a "Blue Ribbon" commission to study why fuel prices are so high. He'll demand that Congress provide hundreds of millions of dollars to fund the "commission". The "Commission" will consist of RINO retread former congress people, Democrat environmentalist wackos, and some of Obama's friends who will get paid millions of dollars "serving" on the "Commission." The Commission's "report will come out after the November election and will as usual blame Bush and the evil, greedy oil companies for charging so much for fuel.

Obama will then recommend imposing price controls on gasoline, diesel and home heating oil. And then he will have to appoint a "Fuel Czar" to oversee the mess he's creating. He might even try Jimmy Carter's scheme of odd/even day's for Americans to purchase gasoline. Or maybe he'll just try to restrict Americans to one fill-up per week.

This author needs a little trip over to the Ministry of Truth. Today Jay "Sideshow" Carney said Obama didnt cancel the Keystone pipeline Republicans did. She should have tossed all old manuscripts in the Memory Hole when she came in to work this morning.

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